Improved boot-heel



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN DUNBAR, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

IMPROVED BOOT-HEEL.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 48,266, dated June 20, 1865.

' of, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part ofthis specification, in which- A Figure I is a plan View of a metallic grooved i or recessed plate for holding an elastic rubber heel-piece. Fig. II is a longitudinal section of the same. Fig. III is a longitudinal section of the same in combination with the elastic heelpiece. Fig. IV represents the improvement as attached to a boot or shoe.

The nature of this invention consists in constructing a metallic plate in the exterior form of a boot or shoe heel, with an interior dovetail form for holding an elastic heel-piece, and also having an inner ange or rim for a permanent attachmentto a foundation leather heel, and in the combination therewith of a rubber or elastic reversible heel-sole.

Letters of like name and kind referto like parts in each of the figures.

A represents a metallic plate, which has the exterior form of a boot or shoe liel and an interior dovetail form, as shown in section, Fig. II and III. It also has an inner flange or rim, a', for the purpose of being permanently attached by screws, or otherwise, to a foundation leather heel formedbn the boot or shoe of sufficient4 thickness and strength to hold this improvement. Holes are made through this iange, as shown at a2 in the drawings, to permit its being fastened by suitable screws, nails, or rivets to the foundation leather heel.

B represents a heel or treading piece, which is made of india-rubber, gutta-percha, or other elastic material, and of such shape that it will exactly t and fill the inside dovetail spa'ce in the metallic plate and project below it onefourth of an inch, more or less, to receive the heel-tread ot' the wearer. The elasticity ofthe material will permit it to be compressed sulficiently to be put into the plate,'and when in it expands and fills the innerdovetail form of the plate, by which it is firmly held in place without other fastening for all ordinary purposes of wearing, forming an easy, noiseless, and elastic tread. These elastic pieces may be changed from one heel to the other, or from right to left, and vice versa, so that both sides will wear down alike, and thereby insure a square symmetrical heel at all times. When worn out, new pieces may be readily supplied, so that a good symmetrical heel may be retained upon the boot or shoe until the boot or shoe is entirely worn out, and at a very small expense. One pair of metallic plates will probably last for several pairs of boots.

That I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A metallic holding-plate, A, having an inner dovetail groove for receiving and holding the elastic tread-piece B, so that the tread-piece will be firmly held in the groove by its expansive force without other fastening, for the purposes and substantially as described.

EDWIN DUNBAR.

Witnesses:

GEO. W. WALLACE, W. H. FoRBUsH. 

